"Two men look out through the same bars: One sees the mud, and one sees the stars."- Frederick Langbridge, A Cluster of Quiet Thoughts
If you were second in a writing contest, would you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or would you be so discouraged that you would find an excuse not to do that again?
In life, you will always have choices to make. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view of life and find life to be unrewarding and tiresome or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and enjoy a challenging and fulfilling life, full of happiness and excitement.
So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
If you were second in a writing contest, would you jump for joy and push for better results the next time or would you be so discouraged that you would find an excuse not to do that again?
In life, you will always have choices to make. You may opt to have a pessimist’s view of life and find life to be unrewarding and tiresome or you may decide to take the optimist’s route and enjoy a challenging and fulfilling life, full of happiness and excitement.
So why nurture an optimist’s point of view? And why now?
Well, maybe because optimism has been linked to positive mood and good morale; to academic, athletic, military, occupational and political success; to popularity; to good health and even to long life and freedom from trauma.
Sadly, on the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. Unfortunately it is no longer a middle-age disorder but now affects much younger people the average age for the onset of depression has gone from 30 to 15. The problem is that the defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe that anything bad that happens is their fault and this undermines everything they do.
So lets have a look at why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best, so they get the best.
Optimists are also confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune. They believe defeat is just a temporary setback and that its causes are confined to this one case.
Optimists tend to look for a solution for the 'problem' at hand. They use 'positive reinterpretation.' In other words, they interpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people perceive bad situations as a challenge and try harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”
The positive expectancy of optimists also helps them during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turns of events. If they fall, they will stand up and go on, they see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People always respond positively to optimists, their very being exudes their happiness and positive outlook on life. They are proactive and less dependant upon others for their own happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people and usually attract like minded people to them. Their optimistic view of the world is contagious and influences those around them.
Optimism is a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and are sought out for advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher. Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise whereas optimists will persevere. They do not give up easily and are known for their patience as they inch closer and closer to their goals.
It is interesting to note that medical research has, at last, realized that simple pleasure and laughter combined with a positive outlook can cause an immeasurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease. This would explain why optimists are healthier and have a tendency to live longer than pessimists.
Because of their outlook optimists’ health is especially good. They age well, they do not experience the usual physical ills of middle age and they usually get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today, and every other day of your life? Think positively towards a more fulfilled life, laugh a lot and enjoy your life to the full.. Like everyone else you too are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there, treat it as an experience, pick yourself up, find a solution and get back on the right track
Look forward to success in all your endeavors, be resilient and inspire others to remove their dark glasses and see life on the bright side.
Sadly, on the other hand, the rates of depression and pessimism have never been higher. Unfortunately it is no longer a middle-age disorder but now affects much younger people the average age for the onset of depression has gone from 30 to 15. The problem is that the defining characteristic of pessimists is that they tend to believe that anything bad that happens is their fault and this undermines everything they do.
So lets have a look at why it really pays to be an optimist:
Optimists expect the best, so they get the best.
Optimists are also confronted with the same hard knocks of this world. What differs is the way they explain their misfortune. They believe defeat is just a temporary setback and that its causes are confined to this one case.
Optimists tend to look for a solution for the 'problem' at hand. They use 'positive reinterpretation.' In other words, they interpret a negative experience in a way that helps them learn and grow. Such people perceive bad situations as a challenge and try harder.
They won’t say “things will never get better,” “If I failed once, it will happen again” and “If I experience misfortune in one part of my life, then it will happen in my whole life.”
The positive expectancy of optimists also helps them during transitions to new environments, sudden tragedies and unlikely turns of events. If they fall, they will stand up and go on, they see opportunities instead of obstacles.
People always respond positively to optimists, their very being exudes their happiness and positive outlook on life. They are proactive and less dependant upon others for their own happiness. They find no need to control or manipulate people and usually attract like minded people to them. Their optimistic view of the world is contagious and influences those around them.
Optimism is a socially desirable trait in all communities. Those who share optimism are generally accepted while those who spread gloom, panic and hysteria are treated unfavorably.
In life, these people often win elections; get voted most congenial and are sought out for advice.
When the going gets tough, optimists get tougher. Optimists typically maintain higher levels of subjective well-being during times of stress than do people who are less optimistic. In contrast, pessimists are likely to react to stressful events by denying that they exist or by avoiding dealing with problems. Pessimists are more likely to quit trying when difficulties arise whereas optimists will persevere. They do not give up easily and are known for their patience as they inch closer and closer to their goals.
It is interesting to note that medical research has, at last, realized that simple pleasure and laughter combined with a positive outlook can cause an immeasurable increase in the body’s ability to fight disease. This would explain why optimists are healthier and have a tendency to live longer than pessimists.
Because of their outlook optimists’ health is especially good. They age well, they do not experience the usual physical ills of middle age and they usually get to outlive those prone to negative thoughts.
So why not be an optimist today, and every other day of your life? Think positively towards a more fulfilled life, laugh a lot and enjoy your life to the full.. Like everyone else you too are bound to hit lows sometimes but don’t just stay there, treat it as an experience, pick yourself up, find a solution and get back on the right track
Look forward to success in all your endeavors, be resilient and inspire others to remove their dark glasses and see life on the bright side.
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